Elle w00ds

Hi CakeTea, I hate labels and ratings.They define things and limit thought. I prefer to look past that because sometimes you end up finding the best stuff in the huge pile of labels left behind ;-) And thanks to GradSchoolTruther, I will also consider placement options provided alongside my other evaluation criterias. I think your supervisor is right. That's what I would do too. It's best to have a broad understanding and then decide which ones to use. I'm not sure I understand the last bit in your post. You've mentioned.."...build classes around.." towards the end of your post. Not sure I understand what you are trying to explain. -Elle

Hello GradSchoolTruther, Thanks a lot for your inputs. I agree, placement support is important. And thanks to your advise, I will consider that too when further narrowing down my list. But for me, knowledge is also equally important. No point in breezing through classes, exams etc. and then struggling to get a grip over the basics at work. Hence the importance to Profs as well. I think it will be nice to have a healthy balance of the two. It's an ideal situation but let's not give up soon. ;-) -Elle

Hi hippyscientist, Welcome back. Thanks a lot for your inputs. That was exactly my point when dropping Univ of Birmingham off my list. Their core electives do not offer IR theory or a research component..just Diplomacy statecraft. IR theory is offered as one of the options. -Elle

Hi CakeTea, Thank you so much for your suggestions. I was planning to go with Birmingham until I had a hard look at the core modules. Plan to drop it off my list. So that leaves me with 3. Your inputs have been really helpful. I want to study both qualitative and quantitative methods and then decide based on my area of interest which of these will suit my research. Sort of have a general overview of each of them. One never knows where life will take you and I'd like to be prepared. Im not really impressed by ranks and ratings or how old or new a univ is. Whats important to me is the kind of work done and the attitude, dedication and passion of the profs towards their subject. I am an international student and must have a clear plan or else I will be running around in circles wasting time. I can't visit the univs on open days so the best option is to read, research and ask questions. Even then everything won't go as planned but atleast I will have a sense of satisfaction that I gave it my best. Will write to the programming managers. Thanks for the tip. :-) Good luck to you too. And may the force be with you and motivate you especially during those trying times in research when everything is going crazy and ur almost ready to quit. ;-) -Elle

Hello GradSchoolTruther, The optional courses may not be available ever year. If IR theory and research is offered as a part of the core modules it is sure to be covered during the course. TheIR(Diplomacy) course I've got an offer for at Univ of Birmingham offers IR theory as an optional course and it doesn't have a research methodology course. The others offer it. -Elle

Hello CakeTea, Thank you so much for your suggestions. I have just received an unconditional offer from Univ of Sussex. Birmingham offers research as an optional component while the others offer them as a part of their compulsory module. All my Profs have suggested Birmingham however I would like to choose the one which offers research methodology as one of the core components. -Elle

Hello hippyscientist, Thank you for your inputs and suggestions. They make sense. It's alright if you are unable to answer questions related to my course. Every bit of advice and information always counts. In the end its all the bits that add up to create a great picture. Good luck to you too. :-)

Hello everyone, I am an international student(India). I have applied to the following univs for a master's in International Relations.. Univ of Birmingham, Glasgow, Loughborough, Sussex, Essex, St Andrews and Surrey. I have received unconditional offers for September 2016 intake from Univ of Birmingham (international relations with Diplomacy only for Birmingham), Glasgow and Loughborough. So far Birmingham tops my list. Loughborough has offered me 25% scholarship and although I'm not allowing this factor to interfere with my decision sadly it is. I would like to know if there are others who have studied at these univs and can provide some insight. That way I know I'm firm on my decision. Thanks. Elle.